The Minister of State for Children and Families, Edward Timpson MP, has written a thank you letter aimed at the sons and daughters of foster carers.

Whilst foster carers themselves do an amazing job, it is very important to acknowledge the effort, flexibility and warmth that birth children of carers show to foster children within the family unit. We at FCC would like to extend our own ‘thank you’ to these amazing children!

The letter reads:

To all the sons and daughters of foster carers in England,

As the Minister for Children and Families, with the responsibility for looked after children, and as the son of foster carers myself, I’m writing to thank you for the very important part you play in welcoming some of our most vulnerable children in to your home and family.

I grew up as part of a large foster family, so I know only too well that fostering can be one of the most rewarding experiences life can bring, as well as having a life-changing impact on a child’s life. At any one time there are over 51,000 children in foster care in England, and each of them needs a fantastic family like yours. I’m thankful to each and every one of you for your help.

Everyone involved in fostering knows how vital it is that the sons and daughters of foster carers are involved in helping foster children to settle in and feel at home, thank you for all that you do to make that happen.

Best Wishes,

Edward
​
Edward Timpson MP
Minister of State for Children and Families

Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/mp-thanks-the-children-of-carers/

The Foster Care Co-operative is proud to announce they are sponsoring the Nation Radio Sports Awards once again this year under the category ‘Junior Sports Personality’.

The Foster Care Co-operative fully support and understand the importance of fitness, activity, team playing, contribution, and success in a child’s health, growth and development.

Who will be this year’s Junior Sports Personality winner?

Have you voted? Do you know of a child worthy of a nomination who you would like to see win this award?

This award is for a young sports person who has achieved a high level of success in their chosen sport this year, or who has gone that extra mile off the pitch achieving great things for their local community. Applicants must be 19 years of age or under.

Nomination entry closes on Sunday 4th October at 23.59.
To nominate, visit Nation Radio’s website and fill in the nomination form:

http://www.nationradio.com/event_items/18469-2/

Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/fcc-sponsor-nation-radio-sports-awards/

The Foster Care Co-operative are proud to be running their annual short story competition, aimed at both foster children and birth children of their carers. 

Last year, judging duties were undertaken by published author Siobhan Curham - and FCC are pleased to announced that Siobhan has kindly agreed to be this year's judge! 

The standard of writing of previous entries has been extremely high, and FCC hope that this year’s entries will be no exception! 

Every child who enters receives a £5 book token, and there are some smashing prizes up for grabs including an iPad Mini. The stories are also compiled into a book, which is given to all entrants.



Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/fcc-short-story-competition/

As part of Foster Care Fortnight™, we are publishing various accounts and articles from within our organisation. Today Jaimie, aged 19, tells her moving story of being in foster care. She is currently studying to go to University.


“I was taken into foster care at the age of 12.  Most young people will feel alone and confused at some point during their childhoods; and living with the feeling that you have no family, home or hope is truly devastating.

Like many children school was very hard for me, I felt like an outcast, and a loner – that no one could understand. I was brought up by my grandmother who did her best for me, but not having the ‘typical’ linear family I saw around me made me feel desperate and ashamed.  In a turn of events when I was moved into a foster home, I became a parallel of my former self.

My foster mother taught me an indispensable amount of life skills in a very short amount of time; hygiene rules - I had to brush my teeth twice a day, a bedtime routine - go to sleep earlier, and discipline - to not answer back. 

Soon I had built a friendship group and gained confidence I never thought I could have.  Before this I had never had a friend around for dinner, no-one had seen into my house before, and this was something friends I tried to make were previously very suspicious about.

At 13 I had my first birthday party, with friends, ice-cream, dancing; all thanks to a wonderful foster carer and her extended family who made me feel like a normal, happy child.  The whole family were welcoming and kind, making me feel like a member of their family and not an outsider.  All of the foster carers I have stayed with have aided in giving me the knowledge and skills I have today. 

Now living independently, and studying to go to University I feel so blessed that all these individuals have been so charitable to me, and have pushed me to a place I never thought I could reach.  Being a foster child was one of the scariest, most life changing, but positive roads my life could have taken and I am so grateful to the foster carers who gave me a home, and the people who work so hard to make it happen.

It saddens me to think of all the children out there who are feeling hopeless and that they do not belong - like did as a child.  I hope that in the future more people can reach out and help, like I have had happen to me, because every child deserves to be happy and feel loved.”

Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/foster-care-fortnight-jaimie-a-foster-care-leaver/

Foster Care Fortnight™ is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, led by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. It is running between Monday 1st June and Sunday 14th June 2015. This year’s theme is ‘Make A Connection’ and foster carers and staffing teams are encouraged to highlight their association with fostering; whether it be the length of time they have been foster carers or how many children they have supported – the connection is not always professional, it could be a neighbour, family member or another form or support network.


There are over 46,000 children in the care of local authorities in England and Wales, with 55% of them aged 10 and over.  Statistics showed that 30,430 started to be looked after in 2014, with an average of 1 child being taken into care every 15 minutes.  It is estimated that a further 8,370 foster carers are needed this year alone in England and Wales to meet the demand, and to provide the supportive, stable and caring home for these vulnerable children.

(Statistics Courtesy of BAAF and The Fostering Network)

Here’s what we’re up to over the next two weeks – keep an eye on our website and the social media sites for more:

• ‘Day in a Life of a Foster Carer’ stories
• ‘My Connection’ to foster care pictures
• Quotes from Foster Carers, children, teenagers and care leavers

Recruitment Events - Could you be a Foster Carer?

• Wednesday 3rd June – Mold Market, Flintshire between 8am – 2pm
• Friday 5th June – Xscape Yorkshire, Castleford between 10am – 6pm
• Friday 5th June – Cambridge Central Library, Cambridge between 9.30am – 3pm
• Saturday 6th June – Kenilworth Show, Warwickshire between 10am – 4pm
• Thursday 11th June – Liverpool Central Library between 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Thursday 11th June – The Forum, Norwich between 10am – 4pm
• Friday 12th June – Foster Walk in Blaenau Gwent between 1pm – 4pm
• Friday 12th June – Star City, Birmingham between 10am – 4pm
• Saturday 13th June – Gloucestershire Pride, Gloucester between 10am – 4pm
• Sunday 14th June – Fargo Village, Coventry between 11am – 4pm

In the Press:

• Our foster carers Tina, Mo and Rose have been interviewed with care leaver Jaimie, all have been quoted alongside Hollywood actor Michael Sheen:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/could-you-foster-child-teenager-9363058
• Article all about us by Nation Radio: http://www.nationradio.com/event_items/foster-care-fortnight/
• This article mentions the Foster Walk we’ll be taking part in with The Fostering Network on Friday 12th June:http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/13090915.FOSTER_CARE_FORTNIGHT__Campaign_highlights_urgent_need_for_more_foster_families/

On the Radio:

• Listen to our staff and foster carer interviews and adverts on Nation Radio:http://www.nationradio.com/event_items/foster-care-fortnight/
• Listen to our adverts on Capital Radio: http://www.capitalfm.com/southwales/
• Listen to our adverts on Heart Radio: http://www.heart.co.uk/northwales/

Source: 
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/its-foster-care-fortnight-/

The Foster Care Co-operative is imploring people to consider linking their lives to the fostering world and ‘Make A Connection’, during Foster Care Fortnight™. Starting on Monday 1st June, and ending on Sunday 14th June.


Foster Care Fortnight™ is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, led by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.  Established for almost 20 years, it highlights the need for more foster carers to care for a range of children, with the highest demand for foster carers for older children, sibling groups and disabled children specifically.

This year’s theme is ‘Make A Connection’ and foster carers and staffing teams are encouraged to highlight their association with fostering; whether it be the length of time they have been foster carers or how many children they have supported – the connection is not always professional, it could be a neighbour, family member or another form or support network. 

Jaimie, age 20, a recent Foster Care Leaver said, “I was taken into foster care at the age of 12.  Most young people will feel alone and confused at some point during their childhoods; and living with the feeling that you have no family, home or hope is truly devastating.

My foster mother taught me an indispensable amount of life skills in a very short amount of time; hygiene rules - I had to brush my teeth twice a day, a bedtime routine - go to sleep earlier, and discipline - to not answer back. 

I’m currently studying to go to University, and I feel so blessed that all these individuals have been so charitable to me, and have pushed me to places I never thought I could reach.  Being a foster child was one of the scariest, most life changing, but positive roads my life could have taken and I am so grateful to all of the foster carers who gave me a home, and the people who work so hard to make it happen.

 It saddens me to think of all the children out there who are feeling hopeless and that they do not belong - like did as a child.  I hope that in the future more people can reach out and help, like I have had happen to me, because every child deserves to be happy and feel loved.”

The campaign is fortunate to receive the backing of celebrities and politicians from across the UK, including author of Tracey Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson, star of stage and screen and son of foster carers, Gareth Gates, chef Lorraine Pascal, sports personality Gabby Logan, and ministers across the UK lend their support to our campaign.

Foster Care Fortnight™ is also The Foster Care Co-operative’s opportunity to showcase the commitment, passion and dedication of our foster carers and staffing team, and campaign to improve foster care for all.  Over the next two weeks, we will be publishing real life stories, different connections to fostering, case studies, and 'a day in a life of a foster carer' accounts.

Jackie Sanders, director at The Fostering Network, said: “As each year passes, we see more and more children coming into care. We need people who can open their heart, and their homes, to vulnerable children and young people who need support at a critical point in their young lives.

“A good foster carer will believe in the ambition of the children in their care in the same way they’d believe in the ambition of their own family members. A childhood is too short to waste, and foster carers can help those who haven’t had the best start begin to enjoy their life and grow into the adults that they want to be.”


Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/foster-care-fortnight-2015-make-a-connection-/

Over the past few months, we have been meeting with various creative organisations, after a successful Creative Tender process. We can now proudly announce that going forward we will be working with Cynergy, who will help us with the design and production of our Foster Carer information and recruitment brochure, and other innovative opportunities.


Ian Brazier, Executive Director for The Foster Care Co-operative said, “I am delighted to welcome Cynergy’s successful bid to help us with the design and production of our new brochures.  It is particularly appropriate that they, as our new partners, operate within a similar ethical framework as the FCC as well as offering both excellent design and value for money. The understanding of who and what the FCC are is key to the value of our brochures, for our potential Foster Carers and in recognising the exceptional achievements of our existing carers and children.  It is clear that Cynergy have that core understanding.  We look forward to working together.”

Jayne Lee, Director at Cynergy, adds “We are delighted to become a creative partner to The Foster Care Co-operative.  Their team is an enthusiastic and ethical one which makes them a fantastic match for us.  The FCC has a strong brand and lots to shout about so we look forward to helping them do just that, and are particularly excited to get involved at a time coinciding with Foster Care Fortnight™ (#FCF2015) when the need for more Foster Carers is hard to ignore.”


Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/announcement-a-new-creative-partnership/

Our Foster Carers have been doing further training this week, on how to complete Life Story Books with the children and young people they care for.

This course aims to explore how direct work with children and young people can help them to understand and make sense of their past, cope with current uncertainties, develop a clearer sense of identity and contribute to plans for their future.

The course content has been developed with reference to the latest research, legislation, standards and good practice and the delivery of knowledge and skills is designed to take account of a wide range of different learning styles.

Learning outcomes will include participants being able to:

• Understand the impact of children’s earlier experiences on their capacity to express their feelings and needs
• Understand the importance of life story work for looked after children, and its emotional impact on children and all those supporting and caring for them
• Apply a holistic approach to life story work being done with the child or young person rather than for or to them
• Describe and use a range of life story work tools with children and young people
• Demonstrate improved communication skills in order to engage in a positive and meaningful way with children and young people

Some of their comments on the course:

“It’s given us a broader view on how we can help our foster daughter learn about herself, and in time her birth family.”

“I came out of the session with lots of useful material, which will stop us stumbling blindly.  I know have some very good ideas, and will put them into practice.”

“Reading the sample life stories has helped me immensely, I’m looking forward to making a start.”

“I didn’t really know what to expect, but found the course very interesting.  I will now be able to do a life story book and know what to put in it.”

“It was great to gain an understanding for the carers as to what they can do to start the life story work.  More children in foster care should have more awareness of their life to help them understand about their heritage.”

“Well presented content, delivered with a human approach.  I really enjoyed this course, and it has given me lots of food for thought that I know I will use with both children and adults.”

“I feel ready to start the children’s life story work now, which I was apprehensive about before.  I now know what content to put in, relevant to their age, and know we can develop and make this more detailed as they get older – it’ll be something for them to look back on.”


Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/life-story-book-training-for-our-foster-carers/